President Hakainde Hichilema has called on African countries to invest in digitalization if the continent is to grow its economy faster.
President Hichilema says digitalization will promote trade, job creation and efficiency in service delivery.
Speaking when he officially opened the 2023 Digital Government Africa Summit in Chongwe this morning, President Hichilema said digital technologies have the potential to grow the economy.
President Hichilema said employing digital technologies at border posts in Africa can reduce time people spend to clear goods and increase revenue collection.
The President said accelerating economic growth using technology will help African countries to develop.
And speaking later in a panel discussion with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, President Hichilema said Zambia is promoting the use of technologies by taking electricity to remote areas.
And Mr. Blair said Zambia was on the right track to embrace the digital revolution and incorporate it in everyday life.
Mr. Blair , who is also Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, said Zambia has a good plan on digital revolution and it will succeed because President Hichilema is passionate about it.
Meanwhile, Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati has announced that Starlink has gone live in Zambia today.
Mr. Mutati said the coming in of Starlink will revolutionize the digital space and place Zambia in a better place when it comes to provision of online services.
And Smart Zambia National Coordinator Percy Chinyama disclosed that 30 countries are taking part in the 2023 Digital Government Africa Summit and a number of agreements have already been made to digitize the continent.
